STMicroelectronics helps Panasonic Cycle Technology bring AI to e-assisted bikes
STMicroelectronics, a global
semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics
applications, has announced that Panasonic Cycle Technology, Co. Ltd.
(Panasonic) has adopted the STM32F3 microcontroller (MCU) and edge AI development
tool, STM32Cube.AI, for their TiMO A e-assisted bike. ST's edge AI
solutions provide a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that leverages an
advanced AI function to improve rider safety and convenience.
Panasonic
is a leading producer of e-assisted bikes in Japan and offers a wide variety of
products for various uses to the Japanese market. Their electric assist bicycle
for school commuting, TiMO A, runs an AI application on the STM32F3 MCU to
infer the tire air pressures without using pressure sensors. Based on
information from the motor and the bicycle speed sensor, the system generates a
warning to inflate the tires if necessary. ST's edge AI development tool,
STM32Cube.AI, enabled Panasonic to implement this edge AI function while
fitting into STM32F3 embedded memory space. This new function simplifies tire
air-pressure maintenance, which enhances rider safety and prolongs the life of
tires and other cycle components. It also helps to reduce the cost and design
work, as there is no need for additional hardware such as an air pressure
sensor.
"We develop and manufacture e-assisted bikes with the mission
of delivering environmentally friendly, safe, and comfortable transportation, accessible
to all," said Mr. Hiroyuki KAMO, Manager, Software Development
Section, Development Department of Panasonic Cycle Technology. "ST's STM32F3 MCU provides cost
competitiveness and optimal functions and performance for e-assisted bikes. By
combining the STM32F3 MCU with STM32Cube.AI, we were able to implement the
innovative AI function without the need to change hardware. We will continue to
increase the range of models with AI functions and strive to fulfill our
mission by leveraging ST's edge AI solutions."
"ST has been actively working on the global proliferation of
edge AI in both hardware and software, providing edge AI solutions to a wide
range of products including industrial and consumer equipment," said
Marc Dupaquier, Managing Director Artificial Intelligence Solutions,
STMicroelectronics. "This
collaboration marks a key step in our efforts, and we are delighted to have
contributed to the first implementation of this AI function in Panasonic's
e-assisted bike. We will continue to propose AI use cases and solutions for
diverse markets, anywhere we can help to augment our life."
ST
will showcase edge AI solutions, including the STM32 MCU and a variety of AI
development tools, at the AI Expo at Tokyo Big Sight (May 22-24, 2024). The
e-assisted bike and the motor unit (cutaway sample) from Panasonic Cycle
Technology, which feature the STM32F3 MCU and STM32Cube.AI, are also scheduled
to be displayed at this expo.
Leave A Comment